Imaging system for optical devices

ABSTRACT

An imaging system for use with an optical device. The system comprises a lower housing having an input portion and an output portion. An upper housing is coupled to the lower housing and has an optical port. A primary lens is disposed within the lower housing. A secondary lens is disposed within the upper housing. The imaging system also includes a recording device. Light rays from the optical device, representing a visual image, are directed to the input portion and are split by the primary lens into a first image and a second, identical image. The first image is directed to the output portion for viewing. The second image is directed to the secondary lens, deflected by the secondary lens, directed to the optical port, and coupled to the recording device. The recording device generates visual data corresponding to the second image.

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application60/570,157, filed May 12, 2004, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to an imaging system and, moreparticularly, to an imaging system that is coupled to an optical deviceand provides for recording of visual images received from the opticaldevice while simultaneously providing the images to a user.

BACKGROUND

The sport of game hunting is a popular recreational pastime. Huntershave long prized their kills beyond their value as food and/or skin andit is common practice, for example, to mount the head of a deer or othergame on a wall as a trophy to display one's past successes. Even moreinterest can be added to the sport, however, if a hunter has a simple,straightforward way to record a visual image of a prey proximate thedischarge of a weapon. The ability to record a visual image of a targetin connection with the discharge of a weapon can assist a user inpracticing to improve aiming accuracy and in adjusting a scope mountedto the weapon by providing a visual record of what is viewed through thescope when the weapon is discharged, allowing for comparison of therecord with where the shot strikes the target.

The ability to record a visual image of a target has potential militaryand law enforcement applications as well. For example, evidentiaryrecords for court cases involving weapon discharges by law enforcementpersonnel may be greatly enhanced if the weapons are capable ofproducing visual images of the target at the time of the discharge.

A number of attempts have been made to provide a visual record of weapondischarges. For example, several prior art devices combine a rifle andrifle scope with a photographic camera. However, these devices havelimitations that make them cumbersome to use and limit the flexibilityof the shooter to precisely determine the timing of the photographicactivity in relation to the firing of the weapon. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,020,262, issued to Pena, discloses a still picture camera mountedto a special housing which is in turn mounted onto a standard telescopicsight. The housing transfers the image of the target through the sightto the camera. The camera is a separate, conventional camera that isactivated via a cable mechanism connecting the rifle trigger to theshutter release of the camera. The camera photographs a single stillimage when the trigger is pulled. This device requires a cumbersomemodification to the rifle, since one must mount a separate camerahousing as well as a camera to the rifle sight. This adds extra steps tothe assembly of the rifle. In addition, the cable connection between thetrigger and the shutter release of the camera adds labor to the assemblyof the rifle and places the cable in a position that may interfere withthe operation of the trigger. Further, a trigger-activated device suchas disclosed by Pena does not enable the hunter to adjust the time atwhich the photograph is taken relative to the discharge of the weapon.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,309,095, issued to Buckley, discloses a camera mountingbracket that supports a camera in a substantially parallel orientationto the line of sight of a telescopic sight. As in the Pena patent, thecamera is activated by means of a cable connection to the rifle triggerusing a plunger-type button. This, too, makes setup cumbersome,interferes with the trigger, and limits the opportunity for a user toadjust the time at which the photograph is taken relative to the actualdischarge of a weapon. By requiring a bracket separate from the sight,as well as a separate camera, the rifle setup remains more cumbersomethan a conventional (i.e. camera-less) setup. Additionally, since thecamera in this arrangement does not obtain its photographic imagethrough the scope, a user must further ensure proper camera alignmentwith respect to the line of sight. However, this arrangement does notprovide a substantially exact image of what the user sees through thescope when the weapon is discharged.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,644, issued to Bolduc, is a riflesimulation wherein the camera is again trigger activated. The rifle andscope, when assembled together for photography, is much more cumbersomethan a conventional rifle and scope.

A number of other attempts have been made to combine an imagemagnification device and a camera with a weapon. Examples include U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,545,356; 3,785,261; 3,911,451; 4,936,190; 4,970,589; and5,285,273. However, the art fails to teach a way to capture and recordvisual images at specified time intervals proximate the discharge of theweapon without a cumbersome link between the recording device and theweapon.

It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a way to capture visualimages of a target proximate the time at which a shot is fired from anassociated weapon, without a potentially-interfering link between thecamera and the rifle trigger. It would further be desirable to have arifle/scope/camera combination that is less cumbersome than is presentlyavailable in the art.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides for an imaging system that enables a userto view visual images present at a rear aperture of a conventionaloptical device while simultaneously allowing for recording of those sameimages using a recording device coupled to a separate optical port. Inan optional embodiment, sound may be captured through an audio pickup,either provided with the imaging system or provided independently via anaudio input from an external wired or wireless microphone. The presentinvention also takes into account the designed eye relief distance of anoptical device and its impact on a user's ability to see a fullfield-of-view of an image and its surroundings.

One embodiment of the present invention is an imaging system for usewith an optical device. The system comprises a lower housing having aninput portion and an output portion. An upper housing is coupled to thelower housing and has an optical port. A primary lens is disposed withinthe lower housing. A secondary lens is disposed within the upperhousing. The imaging system also includes a recording device. Light raysfrom an optical device, representing a visual image, are directed to theinput portion and are split by the primary lens into a first image and asecond, identical image. The first image is directed to the outputportion for viewing. The second image is directed to the secondary lens,deflected by the secondary lens, directed to the optical port, andcoupled to the recording device. The recording device generates visualdata corresponding to the second image.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an imaging system for usewith an optical device. The system comprises a lower housing having aninput portion and an output portion. An eyepiece is attached to theoutput portion of the lower housing. An upper housing is coupled to thelower housing and has an optical port. The imaging system also includesan audio pickup to receive sounds proximate the imaging system andgenerate aural data corresponding to the sounds. A primary lens isdisposed within the lower housing. A secondary lens is disposed withinthe upper housing. The imaging system further includes a recordingdevice. Light rays representing a visual image are directed to the inputportion and are split by the primary lens into a first image and asecond, identical image. The first image is directed to the outputportion for viewing. The second image is directed to the secondary lens,deflected by the secondary lens, directed to the optical port, andcoupled to the recording device. The recording device generates visualdata corresponding to the second image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the inventive embodiments will become apparent tothose skilled in the art to which the embodiments relate from readingthe specification and claims with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional optical device;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an imaging system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of the imaging system of FIG. 2A showingan alternate orientation of an upper housing portion;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an imaging system according to anotheralternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A shows a schematic diagram of an orientation of an upper housingportion of an imaging system and a corresponding orientation of arecording device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B shows a schematic diagram of the of the upper housing portionand recording device of FIG. 4A showing another orientation of each;

FIG. 4C shows a schematic diagram of the of the upper housing portionand recording device of FIG. 4A showing yet another orientation of each;

FIG. 4D shows a schematic diagram of the of the upper housing portionand recording device of FIG. 4A showing still another orientation ofeach;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an imaging system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the imaging system of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the imaging system of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the discussion that follows, like reference numerals will be used toidentify components of like structure in the figures.

A simplified drawing of a conventional optical device 10 common in theart is shown in FIG. 1. Optical device 10 may be a magnifying device,such as a weapon scope, or may have unity magnification. Optical device10 comprises a front objective lens 12, a rear aperture lens 14, ringmounts 16, an optional magnification adjustment control 18, anelevation/windage adjustment control 20, and a housing 22. Light raysfrom an image (not shown) enter front objective lens 12, travel throughhousing 22 and then exit rear aperture lens 14. Magnification adjustmentcontrol 18 increases or decreases the level of magnification of an imageas viewed by the user through rear aperture lens 14. Elevation/windageadjustment control 20 is utilized to adjust a set of crosshairs (notshown) that are viewable through rear aperture lens 14, allowing a userto make fine adjustments to improve the aiming accuracy of an associatedweapon or other device to which optical device 10 is attached. Ringmounts 16 are adapted to mount optical device 10 to a weapon or otherdevice. Alternately, optical device 10 may be mounted to a stationaryfixture such as a tripod (not shown) for a stabilized view of visualimages of objects of interest.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, schematic diagrams of an imagingsystem 30 are shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3 according to severalembodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B depict anembodiment of imaging system 30 wherein a primary lens 40 is generallyaligned under a secondary lens 42, while FIG. 3 shows an embodiment ofimaging system 30 wherein secondary lens 42 is offset laterally fromprimary lens 40. In these embodiments imaging system 30 is adapted to beconnected to an optical device, such as scope 10. Imaging system 30includes a lower housing 31 having an input portion 32 and an outputportion 34. An upper housing 35 includes an optical port 36, discussedin greater detail below.

Light rays 38 from optical device 10, representing a visual image, passthrough rear aperture lens 14 of the optical device and into inputportion 32 of imaging system 30, striking primary lens 40 disposed inlower housing 31. Primary lens 40 reflects a first portion of light rays38, designated 38A, and permits a second portion of light rays 38 topass through it, designated 38B. Light rays 38B exit from output portion34, allowing a user 39 to view the image formed by optical device 10.Primary lens 40 may be a conventional dichroic mirror or beamsplitter.

In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3, light rays 38A arereflected by primary lens 40 are directed to secondary lens 42. Lightrays 38A are in turn reflected from secondary lens 42, as indicated bylight rays 38C, and are directed to optical port 36. Light rays 38C arethen optically coupled to a recording device 44 connected to opticalport 36 by any conventional means. The recording device 44 generates anelectrical signal corresponding to the visual image represented by thelight rays.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and 3, the followingequations describe the preferred relationships of various distances forthese embodiments of the present invention with respect to the eyerelief of imaging system 30 at output portion 34. Eye relief iswell-known in the art and may be generally described as the distancefrom the user's eye to the rear aperture lens of an optical device suchas rear aperture lens 14 wherein the visual image substantially fillsthe area of the lens. With regard to imaging device 30, the design eyerelief is the distance from output portion 34 to the eye of a user 39.Design eye relief for imaging system 30 is defined by equation 1:D ₁ +D ₂ <D _(ER) +D _(ER TOL)   Equation 1where D_(ER) is the design eye relief distance, D_(ER TOL) is theallowable tolerance in the design eye relief distance for a full fieldof view through an optical device, D₁ is the distance from a relativefocal point of primary lens 40 to rear aperture lens 14 of opticaldevice 10, and D₂ is the distance from a reflective focal point ofprimary lens 40 to output portion 34. It is preferable that equation 2,below, also be met to ensure that a full field-of-view is available touser 39 over the entire range of usable eye relief for a particularscope.D ₁ +D ₂ <D _(ER) −D _(ER TOL)   Equation 2Since different optical devices 10 may have different eye reliefs for agiven magnification, the smaller the sum of D₁+D₂, the more capableimaging system 30 will be in adapting to a multitude of optical devices.Additionally, since the values of D_(ER) and D_(ER TOL) will vary (i.e.,become smaller) as the magnification of a given optical device 10 isincreased, minimization of the distance D₁+D₂ will allow for operationof imaging system 30 over a wider range of magnifications of opticaldevices.

For instances where equation 3 applies for a given optical device 10with a predetermined magnification, a full image may be presented atoutput portion 34 by using a zoom lens (not shown) of variable focallength at the output portion, with a corresponding reduction in thefield-of-view of optical device 10.D ₁ +D ₂ >D _(ER) +D _(ER TOL)   Equation 3

With regard to optical port 36, the following equation is applicable:D _(ER) −D _(ER TOL) <D ₁ +D ₃ +D ₄ <D _(ER) +D _(ER TOL)   Equation 4where D₃ is the distance from a relative focal point of primary lens 40to a relative focal point of secondary lens 42 and D₄ is the distancefrom a relative focal point of secondary lens 42 to recording device 44.This relationship for optical port 36 is inferred as a result of thedesire to position recording device 44 such that it collects full-screenvisual images while preserving the field-of-view of optical device 10 tothe greatest extent possible. However, due to the inherent variablesimpacting D_(ER) and D_(ER TOL) associated with different opticaldevices 10 and the effects of varying magnifications as discussed above,it is preferable to utilize a recording device 44 having adjustablefocal length settings or zoom functionality. This ensures that a fullscreen of visual images can be presented to recording device 44 with acorresponding reduction in the field-of-view of the original image andperiphery as seen at output portion 34 of imaging system 30.

In some embodiments of the present invention the orientation of primarylens 40 may be varied within lower housing 31. This allows foradjustment of the overall length D₅ of imaging system 30, which enablesthe present invention to be adapted for use with optical devices 10having various eye relief requirements.

Upper housing 35 may be coupled to lower housing 31 with a rotatablecoupling 46 such that the upper housing may be rotated about an axis “A”by up to 360 degrees, allowing for convenient positioning of recordingdevice 44 in relation to an optical device 10 to which imaging system 30is coupled. In rotating upper housing 35 it is necessary to re-orientrecording device 44 with reference to optical port 36 so as to maintaina proper up-down orientation of the recorded visual images. For example,with reference to FIGS. 4A-4D, a typical recording device 44 has a plane“T” that is normally generally oriented with the upper portion of animage to be recorded such that the recorded image is correctly orientedwith relation to viewing devices, such as a video monitor (not shown).With reference to FIG. 4A, when upper housing 35 is positioned such thatsecondary lens 42 is generally facing toward output portion 34 of lowerhousing 31 in plan view, designated as a zero-degree orientation,recording device 44 is oriented in side elevational view such that plane“T” is parallel to, and spaced apart from, the lower housing. Withreference to FIG. 4B, when upper housing 35 is rotated clockwise about90 degrees in plan view, plane “T” of recording device 44 must likewisebe oriented at a generally 90 degree angle in side elevational view,generally perpendicular to lower housing 31. With reference to FIG. 4C,when upper housing 35 is rotated clockwise about 180 degrees in planview, plane “T” of recording device 44 must likewise be oriented at agenerally 180 degree angle in side elevational view, generally parallelto and proximate lower housing 31. With reference to FIG. 4D, when upperhousing 35 is rotated clockwise about 270 degrees in plan view, plane“T” of recording device 44 must likewise be oriented at a generally 270degree angle in side elevational view, generally perpendicular to lowerhousing 31.

With general reference again to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and 3 in combination, anembodiment of imaging system 30 is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7collectively. In this embodiment of the present invention imaging system30 includes a lower housing 31 and an upper housing 35. A connector 48is adapted to couple imaging system 30 to an eyepiece of an opticaldevice, such as eyepiece 24 of optical device 10. In one embodimentconnector 48 may include a sleeve with an inner diameter sized tophysically interface with an eyepiece 24 of optical device 10 via apress-fit. An eyepiece 50, which may be resilient, allows a user to viewan image provided by optical device 10 and passed through imaging system30 as light rays 38B. Light rays 38C are coupled to a recording device44 disposed within upper housing 35 in the manner previously discussed.

In some embodiments recording device 44 may be a digital still camera.In other embodiments recording device 44 may be a digital or analogvideo motion camera. Electrical signals representing any or all of stillphotographs and video motion pictures generated by recording device 44are generally termed “visual data” herein.

A first electrical connector 52 provides external access to visual datagenerated by recording device 44, allowing for viewing and/or recordingof the visual data on a conventional external visual display and/orvideo recorder. An associated control switch 54 selectably couples videooutput of recording device 44 to connector 52 and/or activates therecording device for operation. An indicator 56 illuminates when thevideo output to connector 52 is active.

Recording device 44 may further include an audio pickup 58 comprising amicrophone and an optional audio amplifier disposed within upper housing35. Audio pickup 58 generates an electrical audio signal correspondingto sounds generated proximate imaging system 30. Any internally orexternally-generated electrical audio signal is generally termed “auraldata” herein.

A second electrical connector 60 provides external access to aural datagenerated by audio pickup 58, allowing users to hear the soundsrepresented by the aural data on a speaker transducer and/or store theaural data using a conventional digital or analog audio recordingdevice. A control switch 62 associated with audio pickup 58 selectablycouples the aural data to connector 60 and/or activates the audio pickupfor operation. An indicator 64 illuminates when the audio output isactive. A microphone input connector 66 provides an optional input toprovide aural data to recording device 44 from an external source, suchas a microphone (not shown).

A detachable memory device (not shown) may optionally be coupled toimaging system 30 to store visual and/or aural data from recordingdevice 44. Example memory devices include, but are not limited to,Compact Flash and Secure Digital (“SD”) Card, Memory Stick, XD PictureCards, Smart Media and Multi Media Cards (MMC), and any other type ofremovable data storage memory device now known or developed in thefuture.

In another optional embodiment of imaging system 30, recording device 44may further include a conventional wireless link 68 comprising atransmitter and/or receiver, facilitating remote-control operation andadjustment of the operational parameters of the imaging system and/ortransfer of visual and/or aural data to and/or from a data storage unit,such as a laptop computer, analog video recorder digital video recorder,analog audio recorder and digital audio recorder. Wireless links anddata storage units are well-known in the art and thus will not befurther detailed herein.

Imaging system 30 may further include a focus wheel 70 to focus theimage presented to recording device 44 at optical port 36. Focus wheel70 may be adjusted by user 39 as needed to bring the image into focus.In other embodiments recording device 44 may include a conventionalautomatic focusing system to adjust the image.

In other embodiments imaging system 30 may include one or moreconventional disposable or rechargeable battery power supplies 72, asshown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Battery 72 provides power to operate thevarious components of imaging system 30.

The present invention has been described with particular reference to ascope for use with a weapon. However, those skilled in the art willappreciate that the present invention may be used to advantage with anytype of conventional optical device including, without limitation,telescopes, binoculars, microscopes, monoculars and spotting scopes.

While this invention has been shown and described with respect to adetailed embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that changes in form and detail thereof may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims of the invention.

1. An imaging system, comprising: a lower housing having an inputportion and an output portion; an upper housing coupled to the lowerhousing and having an optical port; a primary lens disposed within thelower housing; a secondary lens disposed within the upper housing; and arecording device, wherein light rays from an optical device,representing a visual image, are directed to the input portion and aresplit by the primary lens into a first image and a second, identicalimage, the first image is directed to the output portion for viewing,and the second image is directed to the secondary lens, deflected by thesecondary lens, directed to the optical port, and coupled to therecording device, wherein the recording device generates visual datacorresponding to the second image.
 2. The imaging system of claim 1wherein the upper housing is rotatably attached to the lower housing. 3.The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the recording device is one of ananalog still camera, digital still camera, analog video camera anddigital video camera.
 4. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein therecording device is selectably activated.
 5. The imaging system of claim1, further comprising an electrical connector to couple the visual datato at least one of a visual display and a recording device.
 6. Theimaging system of claim 1, further comprising an audio pickup to receivesounds proximate the imaging system and generate aural datacorresponding to the sounds.
 7. The imaging system of claim 6 whereinthe audio pickup device is selectably activated.
 8. The imaging systemof claim 6, further comprising an electrical connector to couple theaural data to at least one of an audio speaker transducer and arecording device.
 9. The imaging system of claim 6, further comprising awireless link.
 10. The imaging system of claim 9, further comprising arecording device coupled to the wireless link to record the aural data.11. The imaging system of claim 6, further comprising an audio input tocouple external aural data to the recording device.
 12. The imagingsystem of claim 1 wherein the primary lens is generally aligned underthe secondary lens.
 13. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein thesecondary lens is laterally offset from the secondary lens.
 14. Theimaging system of claim 1, further comprising a connector attached tothe input portion of the lower housing such that the imaging system canbe attached to an optical device.
 15. The imaging system of claim 1,further comprising a wireless link.
 16. The imaging system of claim 15,further comprising a recording device coupled to the wireless link torecord the visual data.
 17. The imaging system of claim 15 wherein theimaging device is remotely controlled via the wireless link.
 18. Theimaging system of claim 1, further comprising an eyepiece attached tothe output portion of the lower housing.
 19. An imaging system,comprising: a lower housing having an input portion and an outputportion; an eyepiece attached to the output portion of the lowerhousing; an upper housing coupled to the lower housing and having anoptical port; an audio pickup to receive sounds proximate the imagingsystem and generate aural data corresponding to the sounds; a primarylens disposed within the lower housing; a secondary lens disposed withinthe upper housing; and a recording device, wherein light raysrepresenting a visual image are directed to the input portion and aresplit by the primary lens into a first image and a second, identicalimage, the first image is directed to the output portion for viewing,and the second image is directed to the secondary lens, deflected by thesecondary lens, directed to the optical port, and coupled to therecording device, wherein the recording device generates visual datacorresponding to the second image.
 20. The imaging system of claim 19wherein the upper housing is rotatably coupled to the lower housing.